Styling device

ABSTRACT

A styling device for hair, comprising protrusions, wherein the protrusions comprise a blend of a high molecular weight polyethylene oxide and a water insoluble polymer.

TECHNICAL FIELD

One aspect of the invention relates generally to a styling device for hair in which the device itself comprises a blend of a high molecular weight polyethylene oxide and a water insoluble polymer.

BACKGROUND

A variety of hair conditioning products are available to consumers. In general, hair conditioners are used to improve the feel, appearance, and manageability of hair. Consumers may use liquid rinse off conditioners while showering or bathing, or use various leave-in conditioners before styling their hair. But consumers are also looking for durable devices to deliver conditioning benefits. A comb or brush, for example, that is already a part of the consumer's normal styling routine, could not only be convenient and simple, but could also significantly reduce the wet combing and detangling force on hair, thus leading to less breakage and better hair health without the hassle of rinse off or leave in conditioners.

Thus, there is a continuing need for durable hardware in the form of styling devices that consumers can use to condition their hair.

SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE

A styling device for hair, comprising protrusions, wherein the protrusions comprise a blend of a high molecular weight polyethylene oxide and a water insoluble polymer.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

While the specification concludes with claims, it is believed that the same will be better understood from the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings wherein like numbers illustrate like elements throughout the views and in which:

FIG. 1 is a drawing of an inventive styling device that has a handle.

FIG. 2 is a drawing of an inventive styling device that has protrusions that form a comb.

FIG. 3 is a drawing of an inventive styling device that has several rows of protrusions that form a brush with a handle.

FIG. 4 is a drawing of an inventive styling device.

FIG. 5 is a drawing of an inventive styling device.

The embodiments shown in the drawings are illustrative in nature and are not intended to be limiting of the invention defined by the claims. Moreover, individual features of the drawings and the invention will be more fully apparent and understood in view of the detailed description.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

While the specification concludes with claims that particularly point out and distinctly claim the invention, it is believed the present invention will be better understood from the following description.

The present invention can comprise, consist of, or consist essentially of the essential elements and limitations of the invention described herein, as well any of the additional or optional ingredients, components, or limitations described herein.

Reference within the specification to “embodiment(s)” or the like means that a particular material, feature, structure and/or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment, optionally a number of embodiments, but it does not mean that all embodiments incorporate the material, feature, structure, and/or characteristic described. Furthermore, materials, features, structures and/or characteristics may be combined in any suitable manner across different embodiments, and materials, features, structures and/or characteristics may be omitted or substituted from what is described. Thus, embodiments and aspects described herein may comprise or be combinable with elements or components of other embodiments and/or aspects despite not being expressly exemplified in combination, unless otherwise stated or an incompatibility is stated.

Herein, “comprising” means that other steps and other ingredients which do not affect the end result can be added. This term encompasses the terms “consisting of” and “consisting essentially of”.

All percentages, parts and ratios are based upon the total weight of the compositions of the present invention, unless otherwise specified. All such weights as they pertain to listed ingredients are based on the active level and, therefore, do not include carriers or by-products that may be included in commercially available materials.

Herein, “mixtures” is meant to include a simple combination of materials and any compounds that may result from their combination.

The term “molecular weight” or “M.Wt.” as used herein refers to the weight average molecular weight unless otherwise stated, in units of Dalton or gram (g)/mole (mol). The weight average molecular weight may be measured by gel permeation chromatography.

“QS” means sufficient quantity for 100%.

Some consumers are interested in durable styling devices that can provide hair conditioning. Such devices can ease semi-wet detangling while just out of the shower, without having to introduce a behavior change, since the current practice is to condition and then comb or brush. The present invention provides styling devices that may comprise a handle and protrusions in which the protrusions comprise a blend of a high molecular weight polyethylene oxide and a water insoluble polymer. Other inventive styling devices may comprise at least one flat surface, wherein at least one flat surface comprises a blend of a high molecular weight polyethylene oxide and a water insoluble polymer. Other inventive devices may comprise at least one curved surface, wherein at least one flat/or curved surface comprises a blend of a high molecular weight polyethylene oxide and a water insoluble polymer.

While investigating hydrophilic modification of hair for longer lasting cleaning, the present inventors screened POLYOX™ (developed at DuPont and available from Dow), as a hydrophilic wet conditioning slip agent. POLYOX™ are high molecular weight, nonionic water soluble polyethylene oxide or PEO polymers used as thickeners and rheology modifiers. PEO polymers increase lubricity and reduce friction through water retention. These polymers are used in the Lubristrip on Gillette razors and are immobilized in high impact polystyrene, providing friction reduction between the razor cartridge and the skin/hair. The PEO polymers had limited success in a leave-on conditioner treatment. But with the insight that the type of hairbrush a consumer uses has the highest impact on ease of brushing, followed by the use of a conditioner and the conditioning level, the inventors realized that PEO polymers could be used in a brush or comb for detangling by reducing the wet grooming force, which is where most hair breakage occurs during hair styling.

Protrusions High Molecular Weight Polyethylene Oxide and Other Water-Soluble Materials

The styling devices of the present invention may comprise a high molecular weight polyethylene oxide. The polyethylene oxide polymers of the present invention are nonionic and water soluble. That is, the polyethylene oxide polymers of the present invention may form viscous, chewy solutions in water at concentrations less than about 1 wt %, while solutions of higher concentrations may be elastic gels, and at 20 wt % solids, the solutions are hard and tough water-plasticized polymers. For the inventive styling devices herein, the polyethylene oxides are used in high enough concentration that they are not solubilized. But because they can be solubilized, when a styling device is wetted the high molecular weight polyethylene oxide can swell and leach out, providing conditioning to the hair of the user of the styling device.

The styling devices of the present invention may comprise a single polyethylene oxide or a blend of polyethylene oxides. The polyethylene oxides may have average molecular weights of from about 50,000 to about 1,000,000, from about 100,000 to about 800,000, from about 100,000 to about 300,000, from about 50,000 to about 150,000, from about 200,000 to about 500,000, or from about 200,000 to about 300,000. The molecular weights given here for the polyethylene oxides are the molecular weights of the material in the styling device. The molecular weight of the polyethylene oxides may break down during the manufacturing of the styling device, even ten times reduced, due to degradation during thermal-mechanical processing. Thus, the starting molecular weight for the materials may need to be higher than the molecular weight actually in the styling device. Addition of antioxidents may be able to reduce this degradation. In general, to make the styling device, the starting molecular weight for the polyethylene oxide may be from about 100,000 to about 8,000,000, from about 500,000 to about 8,000,000, from about 200,000 to about 5,000,000, from about 300,000 to about 8,000,000, from about 1,000,000 to about 5,000,000, or from about 2,000,000 to about 3,000,000. All molecular weights given herein are in daltons.

The starting polyethylene oxide blends (before the degradation process) may comprise about 40% to 80% of polyethylene oxide having an average molecular weight of about 6 million (e.g. POLYOX COAGULANT) and about 20% to 60% of polyethylene oxide having an average molecular weight of about 300,000 (e.g. POLYOX WSR-N-750). The polyethylene oxide blend may also advantageously contain up to about 10% (for example about 5%) by weight of a low molecular weight (i.e. MW less than 10,000) polyethylene glycol such as PEG-100. While the very high molecular weight polyethylene oxides (e.g. 6 million) show the most reduction in molecular weight through the manufacturing process, the polyethylene oxides on the lower end (e.g. 300,000) do not have much or any reduction in molecular weight throughout the process.

While the high molecular weight materials described herein have been polyethylene oxides, it may also be suitable to use other oxides such as polypropylene oxide or polyethylene/polypropylene copolymers. Without wishing to be bound by theory, the inclusion of a PEO/PPO copolymer of sufficient molecular weight is thought to further improve the lubrication properties of the lubricating member in aqueous conditions, especially in combination with polyethylene oxide, and thus prevent an undesirable feeling in use. These additional PPO or PEO/PPO copolymers may be added at about 5% to about 100%, by weight, of the high molecular weight materials.

The high molecular weight polyethylene oxides are water-soluble. As the consumer wets the styling device, such as a comb, and proceeds to comb their hair, or uses the comb on wet hair, some of the polyethylene oxide absorbs water and becomes slick, shears off, and transfers to the hair.

While the high molecular weight polyethylene oxides leach out upon use of the styling device and condition the hair, additional water soluble conditioning actives may also be included in the styling device that also leach out upon use, such as hair and scalp lubricating water-soluble polymers, including polyethylene oxide, polyvinyl pyrrolidone, polyacrylamide, hydroxypropyl cellulose, polyvinyl imidazoline, polyhydroxyethylmethacrylate, and combinations thereof.

The protrusions on the comb or brush inventive styling devices (or the surface of the styling device that comes in contact with the hair) may further comprise water-soluble or water dispersible actives, or any water-soluble material that is beneficial for hair care. For example, the protrusions may comprise an anti-static active, a conditioning active, a friction reduction active, a lubrication active, an emollient, an antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, or combinations thereof.

Suitable antistatic agents are based on long-chain aliphatic amines (optionally ethoxylated) and amides, quaternary ammonium salts (e.g., behentrimonium chloride or cocamidopropyl betaine), esters of phosphoric acid, polyethylene glycol esters, or polyols. Traditional migrating antistatic agents include long-chain alkyl phenols, ethoxylated amines, and glycerol esters, such as glycerol monostearate, cationic polymers such as polyquaternium-10 and guar hydroxypropyltrimonium chloride.

Suitable moisturizing conditioner actives may include glycerol, propylene glycol, panthenol, erythritol,sodium PCA,hyaluronic acid,sorbitol,fructose,fatty alcohols,polyquaternium polymers,cati onic surfactants (cetrimonium chloride, dicetyldimonium chloride), hydrophilic emollients, and combinations thereof.

Other suitable actives may include Acidifiers, or acidity regulators that maintain the conditioner's pH at about 3.5; Detanglers, which modify the hair surface pH as acidifiers, or by coating it with polymers, as glossers; Glossers, light-reflecting chemicals which bind to the hair surface, usually polymers, usually silicones, e.g., dimethicone or cyclopentasiloxane; Lubricants, such as fatty alcohols, panthenol, dimethicone, etc.; Moisturizers, whose role is to hold moisture in the hair. Usually, these contain high proportions of humectants. These could also be provided by natural oils such as prunus amygdalus dulcis (sweet almond) oil; Oils (EFAs— essential fatty acids), which can help dry/porous hair become more soft and pliable. The scalp produces a natural oil called sebum. EFAs are the closest thing to natural sebum (sebum contains EFAs); Friction reducers, tend to be silicones, dimethicones; and combinations thereof.

The high molecular weight polyethylene oxide may be 100% of the water soluble materials used in the styling device. In some embodiments, any of the additional water soluble actives may be used in an amount of about 0.01% to about 20%, by weight, of the total water soluble materials. The total amount, by weight, of the additional water soluble actives may be at most about 20%, at most about 15%, or at most about 10%, by weight of the total water soluble materials. Further, such water soluble actives should be able to withstand extrusion temperatures without degrading.

As discussed further below, the water soluble materials are blended with water insoluble materials and then all are extruded and injection molded into the shape of the inventive styling device.

The high molecular weight polyethylene oxides or blends comprising polyethylene oxides may comprise at least about 10%, at least about 20%, or at least about 30%, by weight, of the total combination of water soluble and water insoluble materials that are extruded and injection molded into the shape of the styling device. In some cases, this total combination of water soluble and water insoluble materials can be the protrusions of the styling device.

All of the water soluble materials may comprise from about 10% to about 90%, by weight, of the styling device protrusions (combination of all water soluble and water insoluble materials). In some embodiments, the water soluble materials (which can be just polyethylene oxide, or polyethylene oxide blends, or either plus water soluble actives) may be from about 20% to about 80%, by weight, of the total combination of water soluble and water insoluble materials (protrusions), and in still other embodiments from about 40% to about 60% by weight, and in other embodiments about 50%, by weight, of the total combination of water soluble and water insoluble materials (protrusions).

Water-Insoluble Materials

The high molecular weight polyethylene oxides, polyethylene oxide blends, and other water-soluble materials can further be combined with polymers and materials that are water-insoluble. This total composite blend of materials can then be co-extruded and injection molded into the shape of the desired styling device or in some embodiments a component of the styling device.

The water insoluble materials and the high molecular weight polyethylene oxides may not be miscible. This enables the water soluble materials to separate out, while the other polymers remain. Similarly, any water-soluble materials blended with the PEO polymers are not miscible with the water-insoluble materials and separate out when the composite and styling device is wetted. The water-insoluble polymer(s) may be a polyolefin, a polylactic acid, polyester, polyethylene terapthalate, polystyrene, or a nylon, or combinations thereof.

Suitable water-insoluble polymers which can be used to blend with the high molecular weight PEO polymers and other water soluble materials include polyethylene, polypropylene, polystyrene, butadiene-styrene copolymer (e.g. medium and high impact polystyrene), polyacetal, acrylonitrite butadiene styrene copolymer, ethylene vinyl acetate copolymer and blends such as polypropylene/polystyrene blend.

The more preferred water insoluble polymer may be polyethylene or polypropylene, preferably a general purpose polyethylene such as Dow ASPEN 6850c or 6835. The composite should contain a sufficient quantity of water-insoluble polymer to provide adequate mechanical strength, both during production and use in temperatures up to 140° F.

In some embodiments colorants, pigments (titanimum dioxide) or dies can be added to the water insoluable polymers to provide color to the protrusions.

In some embodiments, additional oil soluble materials may also be incorporated into the styling device that also leach out upon use of the styling device. While these materials leach out much like the water soluble materials, these materials are actually water insoluble. For example, certain leachable oils/hydrophobic emollients may include soy bean oil, epoxidized soy bean oil, maleated soy bean oil, corn oil, cottonseed oil, canola oil, castor oil, coconut oil, coconut seed oil, corn germ oil, linseed oil, olive oil, oiticica oil, palm kernel oil, palm oil, palm seed oil, peanut oil, cottonseed oil, hempseed oil, rapeseed oil, safflower oil, sperm oil, sunflower seed oil, tall oil, tung oil, whale oil, triolein, trilinolein, 1-stearodilinolein, 1,2-diacetopalmitin, argan oil, hydrogenated oil, triglyceride oils, and combinations thereof. In some embodiments the oil may comprise a lipid, and the lipid may comprise a monoglyceride, diglyceride, triglyceride, fatty acid, fatty alcohol, esterified fatty acid, epoxidized lipid, maleated lipid, hydrogenated lipid, alkyd resin derived from a lipid, sucrose polyester, or combinations thereof. The oil soluble materials may be from about 1% to about 20%, or from 1% to 10% by weight, of the total combination of water soluble and water insoluble materials (also called the composite or the protrusions).

The water-insoluble materials may comprise from about 10% to about 00%, from about 30% to about 70%, from about 40% to about 60%, or about 50%, by weight, of the total combination of water soluble and water insoluble materials (also called the composite or the protrusions).

The blend of water-soluble and water-insoluble materials may be in a ratio from about 10:90 to about 80:20, in some embodiments from about 30:70 to about 50:50.

Styling Device

During use, the PEO and other water-soluble materials are actually transferring to the hair and acting as conditioning agents. The styling devices of the present invention themselves comprise the conditioning agents. While combs and brushes previously invented may have chambers or nooks containing conditioning agents and various ways to release and deposit the conditioning agents into the hair while combing or brushing, the styling devices of the present invention leach the conditioning agents onto the hair from the material of the device itself. Wetting the styling device activates the polymer, and this may be done either by directly adding water onto the device, dipping the device into water, or by using the device on wet hair.

In some embodiments, the styling device may be a comb or brush. The styling device may be shaped with a handle and a base that holds protrusions. The protrusions may be the composite material, that is, the combination of all water soluble and water insoluble materials discussed above that are then blended, co-extruded, and injection molded into a particular shape. The protrusions may be bristles or teeth. A single row of protrusions may form a comb segment, or multiple rows of protrusions or comb segments may form a more brush-like configuration. In some embodiments, a comb segment may removably slide or fit into the base that is attached to the handle. In some embodiments, the handle and base may comprise only water-insoluble polymers, such as those discussed above, and none of the water-soluble actives or high molecular PEO polymers. In some cases, the handle and base may comprise traditional materials used for brushes and combs, such as wood. In some embodiments, the composite material (which is an injection molded blend of water soluble and water insoluble materials) is only in the protrusions or in the area of the styling device that comes in contact with the hair while styling.

FIG. 2 shows the total blend of water soluble and water-insoluble materials that have been co-extruded and injection molded into the shape of protrusions shaped like a comb. Such comb protrusions may then be fitted into a handle of any material, such as wood or water-insoluble materials, as shown in FIG. 1 . FIG. 3 shows an example of multiple rows of comb protrusions, which form a brush. Again, for any of the figures, the styling device may be the set of protrusions, which are a mix of the water-soluble and water-insoluble materials. When the styling device is wetted, either from external means or from water on the hair, and run through hair, the water-soluble materials separate from the protrusions and are applied to the hair. In some cases, the swelled polymer can stay intact on the surface yet still reduce the friction force between the device and the surface of the hair without being transferred.

This total composite material may be the styling device or may be just the protrusions if the styling device has a handle. In some embodiments, such as in FIGS. 4 and 5 , the injection molded composite of water-soluble and water-insoluble materials may be formed into a different form of styling device, such as a flat iron (frizz iron in FIG. 4 ) or a curling iron (FIG. 5 ). In such embodiments, the composite comprising the water-soluble materials is positioned in the styling device such that the composite will come in contact with the user's hair while the styling device is used. The rest of the styling device may be conventional and be known materials and design.

The styling devices of the present invention may include, without being limited to, a comb, a brush, a flat or frizz iron, a massager, a hair clip, a hair pick, a curling iron, a hair roller/curler, or a scrubber.

Process of Making

The protrusions or the components of the styling device that comprise the blend of water-soluble and water-insoluble materials may be formed using any method known in the art such as injection molding, pressing, impregnation, calendaring, and extrusion. All of the components of the composite comprising the water-soluble (PEO) and water-insoluble materials can be mixed prior to molding or extrusion, or the materials may be fed through separate lose in weight (LIW) feeders in the proper ratio for extrusion and molding. A compounding step may be one in which the water soluble and water insoluble materials are precompounded by extrusion through a twin-screw extruder to create a uniform mixture of the components prior to extruding to injection molding or forming the protrusions. For best results, it is preferred that the components are dry. In summary, the method comprises the steps of providing a feed comprising all the water-soluble and water-insoluble materials that form the protrusion composite, and molding, pressing, impregnating, calendaring and/or extruding said feed to form a solid member in the desired shape. Additional optional steps may be included depending on the process of manufacture which is utilized, for example heating said feed to a temperature of from about 120° C. to about 200° C. The pellets are then molded in either a single material molding or multi-material molding machine, which may be single cavity or multi-cavity, optionally equipped with a hot-runner system. The process temperature can be from 165° C. to 250° C., preferably from 180° C. to 225° C. The injection pressure should be sufficient to fill the part completely without flashing. Depending on the cavity size, configuration and quantity, the injection pressure can range from 300 to 2500 psi. The cycle time is dependent on the same parameters and can range from 3 to 30 seconds, with the optimum generally being about 6 to 15 seconds.

Examples

Example 1: A 50/50 blend by weight of Dow PolyOx WSR 308 and Polyethylene, (Dow Aspun 6835A), was dry blended using a Henschel Mixer, (type FM140). The dry blend was fed through a single hopper into the injection molder, an Engle 60 Ton press equipped with a die for molding comb projections which could be inserted into a separately created handle. The parts were molded with a 2 in/sec injection speed, a hold pressure of 550 psi with an injection hold of 7.5 sec and a cool time of 15 sec.

Example 2: A 50/50 blend by weight of Dow PolyOx WSR 750 and Polyethylene, (Dow Aspun 6835A), was dry blended using a Henschel Mixer, (type FM140). The dry blend was compounded on a 25 mm co-rotating extruder, (B&P, model CT-25) using a heating profile of 175° C. for the barrel sections and 150° C. for the die. The screw speed was 400 rpm with a feed rate of 10 lbs per hour resulting in a pressure of 300 psi and a torque of 20%. The blend was extruded onto a conveyor table equipped with air knives to cool the strand. The material was cut into pellets of a size that would easily feed through a standard hopper on an injection molder using a standard pelletizer. The compounded blend was fed through a single hopper into an Engle 60 Ton press injection molder equipped with a die for molding comb projections which could be inserted into a separately created handle. The parts were molded with a 2 in/sec injection speed, a hold pressure of 550 psi with an injection hold of 7.5 sec and a cool time of 15 sec.

Example 3: An 80/20 blend by weight of Dow PolyOx WSR 750 and Polyethylene, (Dow Aspun 6835A), was dry blended using a Henschel Mixer, (type FM140). The dry blend was compounded on a 25 mm co-rotating extruder, (B&P, model CT-25) using a heating profile of 175° C. for the barrel sections and 150° C. for the die. The screw speed was 400 rpm with a feed rate of 10 lbs per hour resulting in a pressure of 300 psi and a torque of 20%. The blend was extruded onto a conveyor table equipped with air knives to cool the strand. The material was cut into pellets of a size that would easily feed through a standard hopper on an injection molder using a standard pelletizer. The compounded blend was fed through a single hopper into an Engle 60 Ton press injection molder equipped with a die for molding comb projections which could be inserted into a separately created handle. The parts were molded with a 2 in/sec injection speed, a hold pressure of 550 psi with an injection hold of 7.5 sec and a cool time of 15 sec.

Example 4: An 65/35 Blend by Weight of Dow PolyOx WSR 750 and Polyethylene, (Dow Aspun 6835A), was compounded on a 25 mm co-rotating extruder, (B&P, model CT-25). The materials were fed through separate lose in weight feeders without preblending. A heating profile of 175° C. for the barrel sections and 150° C. for the die. The screw speed was 200 rpm with a feed rate of 22 lbs per hour resulting in a pressure of 450 psi and a torque of 20%. The blend was extruded onto a conveyor table equipped with air knives to cool the strand. The material was cut into pellets of a size that would easily feed through a standard hopper on an injection molder using a standard pelletizer. The compounded blend was fed through a single hopper into an Engle 60 Ton press injection molder equipped with a die for molding comb projections which could be inserted into a separately created handle. The parts were molded with a 2 in/sec injection speed, a hold pressure of 550 psi with an injection hold of 7.5 sec and a cool time of 15 sec.

Test Method

Technical screening of inventive styling devices shaped as a comb with protrusions and generation of data in Table 1 were done by using the Instron Double comb (IDC) method. As a control, standard Cleopatra 400 combs were cut in half and the fine-tooth portion was mounted in the comb holder on the IDC unit. The inventive and control combs were used on oxidatively damaged tress (purchased from International Hairgoods) and treated 5 cycles with a non-conditioning shampoo, Herbal Essences Tea-lightfully Clean shampoo+Pantene Repair and Protect conditioner.

EQUIPMENT for IDC: Instron Machine with Double Comb Frame and Connecting to Computer

-   -   Instron Model 5564     -   Instron Merlin/Series IX Software     -   Instron 2530-437 (50N) Tension/Compression Load Cell     -   Instron 2710-004 Screw Action Grips     -   Instron/Computer/Double Comb Frame     -   Comb Cassette     -   TRI/P&G Double Comb Frame and Comb Cassettes         Method for treating Tresses with Shampoo and Conditioner:     -   1. Shampoo Treatment         -   A moderately oxidatively-damaged Caucasian hair tress             (purchased from International Hair Institute (IHI)) with             weight of 4 g and length of 8 inches is first wetted with             warm water for 30 seconds. An amount of 0.10 g of a             non-conditioning shampoo (Herbal Essences Tea-lightfully             Clean shampoo) per gram of a hair tress is spread via a             syringe onto separate hair tress. Each application consists             of adding the shampoo to the hair, milking for 30 seconds             followed by rinsing for 30 seconds.     -   2. Rinse off Conditioner Treatment         -   A moderately oxidatively-damaged Caucasian hair tress with             weight of 4 g and length of 8 inches is first washed with a             non-conditioning shampoo (see shampoo washing protocol             above=Herbal essences Tea-lightfully Clean shampoo). After             rinsing, an amount of 0.10 g of conditioner (Pantene Repair             and Protect conditioner) per gram of a hair tress is spread             via a syringe onto the hair tress. Each application consists             of adding the conditioner to the hair, milking for 30             seconds followed by rinsing for 30 seconds.         -   The shampoo and conditioner treatment is repeated with two             additional tresses with a total of 3 tresses per test leg.             The data in table 1 had 5 test legs and therefore (5×3) 15             oxidatively damaged hair tresses treated with shampoo plus             conditioner prior to combing in the Instron unit.

Wet Combing Tests

This combing test typically determines the amount of friction on the hair as measured by the force required to move a comb through a moderately oxidatively-damaged Caucasian hair tress with weight of 4 g and length of 8 inches (purchased from IHI). As all tresses were the same, the test reveals the effectiveness of the combs to reduce friction. This method, which is commonly used by ones skilled in the art of hair care, emulates the motion of combing hair from the root to tip of a hair tress. Prior to installing the tress in the Instron, the operator first detangles the hair tress using the fine-tooth end of a Cleopatra or equivalent comb. Failure to detangle initially may result in tripping the load cell due to excessive force. The operator ranks and balances the 4 g, 8 in. hair tresses for base line condition by using an Instron machine. Wet tresses are evaluated for friction force(g) using the Instron machine installed with either the Standard Cleopatra comb commonly used to evaluate hair care compositions or the inventive combs described herein. Each tress is combed 5 times at a rate of 900 mm/minute. 3 tresses were tested per set of combs to increase base size for statistical analysis. The data is then analyzed using standard statistical methods in JMP software (Table1).

For Table 1, a One-way analysis of midi (middle part or bulk of the hair tress) by treatment (comb type) and a comparison of the means by Student T test at 95% confidence to get a connecting letter table 1. The combing force is measured 5× for each tress and a mean for the three tresses is calculated. Lower friction forces are better for hair detangling.

Results: Combing Through the Middle Part or Bulk of the Hair Tress:

TABLE 1 Mean Connecting Force Styling Device Letter Report (grams) Control Cleopatra combs A 64.80 Example 3, (80/20 blend) pre-wetted combs B 52.35 Example 3, (80/20 blend) dry combs C 42.61 Example 2, (50/50 blend) pre-wetted combs C 37.50 Example 2, (50/50 blend) dry combs D 29.75

In Table 1, Example 3 is a blend of 80% high molecular weight polyethylene oxide and 20% polyethylene, and Example 2 is a blend of 50% high molecular weight polyethylene oxide and 50% polyethylene. Any samples not connected by the same letter are significantly different. The data shows that all inventive combs comprising the polyethylene oxide (Examples 2 and 3, pre-wetted and dry) showed significant reduction at 95% confidence (using JMP software) in wet combing force as compared to the standard Cleopatra Control comb, because B, C, and D letters do not connect with A.

The 50% high molecular weight polyethylene oxide dry combs (D) showed the highest reduction in IDC wet combing force, outperforming the other high molecular weight polyethylene oxide-containing combs and standard Cleopatra Control comb. The 50% high molecular weight polyethylene oxide dry combs (D) reduced the wet IDC combing force by more than 50% than the standard Cleopatra Control comb (A).

The preferred way to use the inventive styling device, such as a comb or brush, is on wet hair. Pre-wetting the combs may allow the high molecular weight polyethylene oxide and other water-soluble materials to transfer too much to the hair, weighing the hair down and increasing dry IDC combing friction. However, inventive styling devices such as combs and brushes may be pre-wetted to condition and reduce frizz of dry hair.

Additional benefits were found for the inventive styling devices in the form of a brush. An inventive brush of the material of Example 2 and shaped like FIG. 3 was used in a salon by trained stylists on mannequin heads with wigs.

Overall, a noticeable conditioning benefit was determined, specifically in the wet state, after using the inventive brush on shampoo-only treated hair (Pantene Hair Biology Cleanse & Reconstruct). Hair was smoother and easier to comb/detangle. After drying, an advantage towards better alignment, frizz reduction, and healthy ends was recognizable.

When using the brush in the dry state, the conditioning benefit was not as easily recognizable, and pre-wetting the comb for a few seconds under warm water followed by combing the dry hair led only to a minimal benefit. And using the inventive brush on shampoo (Pantene Hair Biology Cleanse & Reconstruct) and conditioner (Pantene Smooth & Sleek (EU)) wet-treated hair did not lead to a significant increase in conditioning benefit vs. conditioner only. But after usage of a styling tool, such as a hot iron or a curl iron, a significant benefit towards ease of styling, curl definition, and style retention were recognizable. Thus, for dry hair, it may be harder to see the immediate combing benefit, but there are styling benefits. The high molecular weight polyethylene oxide can be transferred to the hair and the dry high molecular weight polyethylene oxide on the hair can provide benefits.

The dimensions and values disclosed herein are not to be understood as being strictly limited to the exact numerical values recited. Instead, unless otherwise specified, each such dimension is intended to mean both the recited value and a functionally equivalent range surrounding that value. For example, a dimension disclosed as “40 mm” is intended to mean “about 40 mm.” All numeric values (e.g., dimensions, flow rates, pressures, concentrations, etc.) recited herein are modified by the term “about”, even if not expressly so stated with the numeric value.

Every document cited herein, including any cross referenced or related patent or application is hereby incorporated herein by reference in its entirety unless expressly excluded or otherwise limited. The citation of any document is not an admission that it is prior art with respect to any invention disclosed or claimed herein or that it alone, or in any combination with any other reference or references, teaches, suggests or discloses any such invention. Further, to the extent that any meaning or definition of a term in this document conflicts with any meaning or definition of the same term in a document incorporated by reference, the meaning or definition assigned to that term in this document shall govern.

While particular embodiments of the present invention have been illustrated and described, it would be obvious to those skilled in the art that various other changes and modifications can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. It is therefore intended to cover in the appended claims all such changes and modifications that are within the scope of this invention. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A styling device for hair, comprising protrusions, wherein the protrusions comprise a blend of a high molecular weight polyethylene oxide and a water-insoluble polymer.
 2. The device of claim 1, wherein the polyethylene oxide has a molecular weight of at least about 50,000 daltons.
 3. The device of claim 1, wherein the polyethylene oxide has a molecular weight from about 100,000 to about 300,000 daltons.
 4. The device of claim 1, wherein the water insoluble polymer is selected from the group consisting of a polyolefin, polyactic acid, polyester, polyamides, polystyrene and combinations thereof.
 5. The device of claim 1, wherein the water insoluble polymer is polyethylene or polypropylene.
 6. The device of claim 1, wherein the blend of polyethylene oxide and water insoluble polymer is in a ratio from about 10:90 to about 80:20.
 7. The device of claim 1, wherein the blend of polyethylene oxide and water insoluble polymer is in a ratio from about 30:70 to about 50:50.
 8. The device of claim 1, wherein the protrusions are bristles or teeth.
 9. The device of claim 1, wherein the styling device is selected from the group consisting of a comb, a brush, a massager, a hair clip, a hair pick, a hair curler or a scrubber.
 10. The device of claim 1, wherein the styling device further comprises a handle.
 11. The device of claim 1, wherein the protrusions comprise at least one water soluble active in addition to the polyethylene oxide.
 12. The device of claim 11, wherein the water soluble active is selected from the group consisting of an anti-static active, a conditioning active, a friction reduction active, a lubrication active, an emollient, and combinations thereof.
 13. The device of claim 1, wherein the protrusions further comprise an additional high molecular weight material.
 14. The device of claim 1, wherein the device is a comb comprising 1 row of protrusions.
 15. The device of claim 1, wherein the device is a brush comprising more than 1 row of protrusions.
 16. The device of claim 1, wherein the device further comprises a motor for vibration of the protrusions.
 17. The device of claim 1, wherein the high molecular weight polyethylene oxide and water insoluble polymer are blended and co-extruded.
 18. A styling device for hair, comprising at least one flat surface, wherein at least one flat surface comprises a blend of a high molecular weight polyethylene oxide and a water insoluble polymer.
 19. The styling device of claim 18, wherein the device has two flat surfaces comprising a blend of a high molecular weight polyethylene oxide and a water insoluble polymer and the two flat surfaces are connected via a hinge, allowing the two flat surfaces to be pressed together.
 20. The styling device of claim 19, wherein the polyethylene oxide has a molecular weight from about 100,000 to about 300,000, and wherein the water insoluble polymer is polyethylene or polypropylene. 